FSU raises standards, cuts enrollment

Saturday is move-in day for freshmen at Fayetteville State University, but there won't be as many students on campus this year compared to years past.

That's because FSU has raised its admission standards and accepted fewer students.

There were about 725 students in last year's freshman class. This year, that number has dropped to about 600.

That would be an alarming drop at most historically black colleges and universities, but that's not the case at FSU. Administrators say they did it on purpose.

"It doesn't do us a lot of good to be an accessible institution if we're not graduating people. So our goal and our commitment is to raise the standards a little bit to get in - support the students that we bring in -and graduate more of those students," explained FSU Vice Chancellor Dr. Thomas Conway.

The incoming freshman class is the smallest in the past ten years and that's going to have a financial impact on the school during some already tight economic times.

"It's going to tighten the belt quite a bit. There's a portion of the budget that comes along with the portion that is paid by students and their families. That's going to be a reality. But we made a decision to do that for the good of the population that we serve," said Conway.

Tatianna Mosley is a sophomore. She says she and other students support the university sacrificing quantity for quality.

"So it's all about the student and what they're willing to bring to the table here at Fayetteville State University and other colleges as well," she said.

"As of right now we may be looking at a smaller number coming in, but I believe this is kind of like a test drive. It is that first control group. So that possibly in the future when it grows, we'll definitely see the high number of students that we want to see for the future," said FSU student Jermaine Pittman.